Thursday, January 14, 2010

NEVER TOO LATE FOR RESOLUTIONS

While we are already two weeks into the new year it is not too late to make resolutions for 2010. Actually the Chinese New Year is just approaching...

I always start my resolutions in February because the holidays are too busy to think about them and I never like to start my "get fit" routine among all the others who share that same goal. I find that a month in people have forgotten that pledge and I no longer have to do hand to hand combat for a machine. Not cruel, just strategic.

One resolution that is easy to make and keep is making DC a better place to live, work and play by helping the City become more green. Think trees. There are many ways you and your family can do it and Casey Trees can help you actually fulfill that resolution.

Here are a few ideas:

Plant a tree at home.

Three great cost saving options for you:

RiverSmart Homes - Offered through DDOE, Casey Trees will plant a shade tree of your choosing from a pre-approved list on your property for $50.00 per tree. The number of trees is only limited to the available space.

Tree Rebate - Purchase and plant a tree at home and submit your receipt with the rebate form and receive up to $50 back per tree (up to 3 trees per property). This is a great option if you want to plant a tree on your own and/or the tree species is not available through RiverSmart Homes. No invasives or Ash trees allowed.

Planted out your own space and want to help others? Casey Trees offers year-round tree planting, tree care and tree inventory volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn more about trees, visit different neighborhoods and advance our Urban Tree Canopy Goal of 40 percent by 2035.

Identify ten or more locations for trees to be added and request a CTP. Casey Trees provides the trees, tools and technical assistance for free. We will even help you recruit volunteers. Requests for a fall 2010 planting must be in by June 15.

Help a neighborhood inventory their trees.

Community Tree Inventories (CTI) help groups identify the condition, species, and location of their existing trees and plantable spaces. Following the inventory we provide the groups with an analysis of our findings and develop a strategy to meet their goals.

A new feature of the Casey Trees Map created to connect people to trees in the District deemed special because of their size, history and/or personal significance. Individuals can nominate a Big Tree, Witness Tree or My Tree and even add a tree they have recently planted to be counted towards the City's UTC Goal.

Become an advocate.

Taking a Casey Trees class is the perfect way to become better informed about the District's urban forest and learn how you can encourage developers, elected officials, civic associations, etc. to protect and care for existing trees and add new ones. All our classes and programs are now free with the exception of the Tree Summit on March 25, 2010.

Tell a friend.

Word of mouth is powerful. Telling a friend about Casey Trees and its programs is great. Forward this blog post, drop them an email or call them up. Even better is inviting one or two friends to an upcoming program, planting or class.

As you can see there are a number of ways Casey Trees can help you fulfill your resolution to make DC more green. So go ahead, be bold and get green with Casey Trees.